NYC Dining Deals and Events: January 27-31

By Bao Ong | January 27, 2014

MondaySouthern Food Photo Exhibit:The Art of Alabama Food, a traveling food exhibit, kicks off a multi-city tour today at Chelsea Market. If you don’t have a road trip planned to a state that’s perhaps more well-known for football than food, this art gallery-style photo exhibit will give you a glimpse of Alabama’s wide-ranging cuisine. Part of the show features images from what the Alabama Tourism Depart calls a list of “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die.” The gallery is open daily 11 AM to 7 PM (and only 8 AM to noon on Thursday) through Feb. 2.

Meatballs for a Cause: The national chain Buca di Beppo, known for serving large family-style servings of red sauce classics, has partnered with spokesperson Sofia Vergara to promote a “Meatballs 4 Ninos” campaign. The deal is straightforward: order any meatball dish—appetizer, entrée or side dish—now through March and $1 will be donated to a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 1540 Broadway; (212) 764-6527

TuesdayJames Beard, 2.0: The James Beard Foundation has thrown events in the past to help increase the number of younger members, but now the foundation is officially launching a JBF Greens membership category, aimed a foodies under 40, with a party at Bar Seven Five in the Andaz Wall Street hotel. The group will hold events ranging from wine tastings to cooking classes to help build support for the country’s most important culinary foundation. More information here.

Bourbon Tasting: For SingL’s latest Tuesday Tasting Series, beverage director Roger Dagorn will spotlight Woodford Reserve bourbon during a complimentary tasting. Guests can sample the Kentucky-made brown spirit and participate in a discussion on the bottling. Call 212-432-1324 to reserve a spot.

Intimate Dinner at Telepan Local: Bill Telepan is holding a cocktail reception at his newly-opened Telepan Local in Tribeca to benefit Citymeals-on-Wheels from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the restaurant's private dining room. There will be signature drinks and food form the restaurant's menu served to raise funds to help feed elderly New Yorkers who are homebound. Tickets ($150) can be purchased by e-mailing jean@citymeals.org or calling 212-687-1290.

WednesdayMolecular Gastronomy Dinner: Thierry Marx, the acclaimed chef of Sur Measure par Thierry Marx at the Mandarin Oriental in Paris, will be cooking at Asiate in the Mandarin Oriental, New York, starting today through Feb. 1. The Michelin-starred chef will bring over some of his signature dishes - from a charred beef to frozen sake for dessert - for three ($125) and five ($155) course dinner menus. Call 212-805-8809 to make reservations.

A Glam Chinese New Year: Celebrating the Chinese New Year at Hakkasan New York is nothing like ordering from you local takeout joint. Steamed snapper with salted plum, braised cabbage with mushrooms and stewed pork trotters are just some of the specials on a holiday a la carte menu available today through Feb. 8. The restaurant will also have a traditional lion dance and give all guests $2 bills in lucky red envelopes. More info here.

Thursday Tiki Drinks in Red Hook: Abigail Gullo, a former New Yorker who made her name in the bar scene here and is now the bar chef at SoBou New Orleans, is returning to Fort Defiance to host a fundraiser in honor of Chris Piscitelli, a longtime bartender at Red Hook's Bait and Tackle and Sunny's who died of cancer last week. An tiki-themed fundraiser starting at 5:30 PM (with all cash tips) will help raise funds for his family.

FridayNapa Valley Wine and Food Pairing: Clement at The Peninsula New York debuts its Winemaker Series with The Hess Collection Winery from Napa Valley in one of the most opulent hotels in the city. The evening starts with a 6:30 PM reception and a six-course dinner ($275) follows at 7 PM, when each course will be paired with varietals ranging from Chardonnay to Cabernet. The menu from chef Brandon Kida features dishes like uni risotto and quail with stuffing. Reservations are required by calling 212-903-3923 or e-mailing ClementPNY@peninsula.com.